As one of Austin's most important streets, Congress Avenue's entire district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings that frame the street are full of distinctive beauty. The oldest documented building is the Robinson-Rosner Building at 504 Congress (1856). Starting at the Capitol, the street continues south, passing fabulous little shops and eateries. Stop in at Hickory Street for a quick lunch, check out The State Theater or Paramount Theater to see what fantastic production is going on in the evening, or wander into Star bucks for coffee and treats.

Located near the University of Texas, Austin, Hyde Park is a bustling area, full of young people, shoppers and businesses. The park also features many historical landmarks. The Col. Monroe M. Shipe House, where the designer of Hyde Park lived. The Elisabet Ney Museum, a showcase of the sculptor's work in her studio, is also located in Hyde Park. The Shadow Lawn Historic District within Hyde Park showcases amazing works of early, yet advanced, architecture.

The Travis County Exposition Center, home of the annual county livestock show and rodeo also happens to be home to the Austin Ice Bats Professional Hockey Team. The expo center has a show barn for livestock! Weddings, arts and crafts shows, parties, meetings, and trade are also held here. Recently, renovations amounting to an astounding figure of six million dollars were done.

This commercial art gallery has more than 2,000 square feet of space. It is located in Flatbed World Headquarters, a huge warehouse redeveloped as an arts center, which houses Flatbed's offices and publishing workshop along with seven other arts tenants. The gallery specializes in original prints and also exhibits and markets paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and installation art. The space, which is ultra-modern and attractively lit, is available on a limited basis as a meeting room, reception area and temporary gallery for rent.

Several Austin restaurants and bars have Live Oak brands (including Big Bark Amber Lager, Live Oak Pale Ale and Live Oak Pilz) on tap. Beer-enthusiasts will appreciate not only the rich malt flavors they find in the tasting room, but also the process behind the brew. The two brewers traveled to Prague to learn ancient techniques, and then developed their own unique process. The free tour, which explains how decoction mash, open fermentation and secondary lagering make Live Oak beers unique, takes about twenty minutes. Free samples follow every tour.

Four non-profit organizations sponsor the bingo games here, and all proceeds go for good causes: the Mexican-American Research Center, Huntington's Disease Association of Texas, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and Metropolitan Community Church of Austin. Four payout games are scheduled each day and players always have a chance to win the jackpot. A full volunteer staff, short order kitchen, spacious seating and computer access are all on the premises.

This museum holds a special place in the heart of Texans, especially in Austin, the Music Capital of the World. Founded in 1984, the museum's mission is to promote and preserve Texas music. By presenting two or three major exhibits a year in and around Austin, often including musical performances, the organization works to keep music alive and well. Along with funding these projects, the museum conducts research, sponsors touring exhibits and collects photographs and documents related to all aspects of Texas music.

This fully functional organic farm has won many awards for its urban farming techniques. Purchase fantastic fresh vegetables on Wednesday and Saturday mornings (9am-2pm), or let your kids experience real farm life right in the heart of the city-animals and tractors are some of the biggest attractions for the little ones on market day. While shopping for produce, take a peek at the historic farmhouse, noted as one of the oldest existing buildings in Austin (built in 1838).

Time brought Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute (established in 1877) and Samuel Houston College (established 1900) together in 1952. The merged college now known by the joint name is a fantastic campus and educational facility. One of the older buildings is Evans Hall, originally part of the old Tillotson College campus. This limestone building was constructed entirely by students. Prospective students and the general public are welcomed to follow guided tours of the campus.

Escape from the 21st Century and journey back into the Great West aboard the Hill Country Flyer, a vintage passenger train making day-trip excursions every weekend year-round. Departing from Cedar Park, only 20 miles north of downtown Austin, each train ride offers 1920s coach cars for families on a budget and 1950s Pullman lounge cars for leisure travelers. Special excursion trains throughout the year include storybook specials for children, mystery dinner trains for adults, and holiday rides to local festivals along the train route. The vintage train is operated by the dedicated volunteers from the Austin Steam Train Association, a community-based non-profit organization.